Letter from Frances Miller Seward to William Henry Seward, February 15, 1831

Transcriber:spp:djg

student editor

Transcriber:spp:cef

Distributor:Seward Family Papers Project

Institution:University of Rochester

Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections

Date:1831-02-15

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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to William Henry Seward, February 15,
1831

says to doubt it hereafter. ( how much I do like Weed
he is so generous). That letter if I am any Judge after having read it at least
a dozen times was written in sincerity of heart. I do not believe it is in the
power of a heartless man or a hypocrite to write just such a letter. I can give
you no reasons, my heart tells me so. I have thought of nothing but your letter
all day. I have wept and laughed alternately. I have had some sad imagin
ings about my own unworthiness. I have said, what can my lov[ e ]

x

Supplied

Reason:

be to one who has had the power to enchain the affections of minds so
brilliant and fascinating as Berdan’s

Unknown

and Tracy’s? This is not a jealous feeling Henry
if I know any thing about my own heart. I was not jealous of that dear departed one, and I know that you loved him “as you never again can love in this world.” With all my imperfections with nothing
but a true heart to make me interesting to any one I do not doubt your
affection in that I have the fullest confidence, but I often feel that I
am too ‘rich in blessings’, and my melancholy

Not placable; not to be appeased; incapable of being pacified; stubborn or
constant in enmity • Incapable of being relieved or quieted; inextinguishable •

nature, inconsistent as it may be, does often make this a
cause of sadness. I cannot write. I could not talk were you with me, but I can
feel Why is it that while my heart is overflowing I cannot describe any of
its emotions? but it was ever thus, and I have little reason to regret my want
of eloquence while I possess the love of one who can understand my feelings
without my expressing them. Wednesday morning _ I had written so far last night
when a faintness came over me and I was obliged to go to bed, after a night of
disturbed and restless slumber I do not feel very much refreshed this morning.

where the work proceeds more
rapidly than here. Mrs H. had just been to see Serene and said a letter from
Theodore announcing the glad tidings that Frances was taking an active part in
the prayer meetings had arrived this is all considered I suppose as an answer
to the prayers of the righteous. They have been praying in their meetings for
Frances, Maria Bennet

. Serene is to be one of the
next subjects and they are making considerable calculations on her conversion.
I told her she was so serious I thought it probable she would “come
out” as the phrase is. Pa was quite sick, through the night but better in
the morning. Monday anf afternoon Miss
Miller

. Serene found
them all wonderful dignified and important the Dr was engaged in writing the
letter to you which I suppose you have recieved before this time, and
which was the occasion of my hurried note by Mr.
Bradly

Unknown

. The Dr feels at this time as if no one could be better
employed than in serving his wife and daughters. Caroline

has invited herself and sister
to spend the winter with her. if it is so which I very much doubt I think Mrs
Rudd must have rather a singular taste. Caroline I believe means well or has
rather anamiable

disposition naturally, but she is
careless about her dress, idle trifling in her conversation, and withal as the
little old man says in the ‘height of Impudence’ ‘wonderfully
given to lying’. All these would not be very agreeable qualities for a
companion. they are hardly tolerable in a transient visiter. This afternoon
Augustus

and I went up to see
Lazette, we found her with a bad cold almost innundated. the house leaks every
where, front room, hall, chamber and kitchen, she was obliged to take up the
carpet in many places, she thinks itthe roof might be repaired to prevent all this but
Worden

wants energy. My poor dear sis
hers is a rough path through this world. I did not take Fred, he coughs a
little yet and I did not think - it best to expose him. Lazette says she does
not know [ enough to a ]

. Thursday night — I think Pa
is some better to day he has been out two or three times. I say I think he is better but I have never ventured to ask him.
Any one not not acquainted with us all here would think I was rather an
unfeeling daughter how often when I see Pa sick and dispirited my heart yearns
to do him some kind office at least to offer my sympathy, but the fear of such
offers not being well recieved always prevents me. I wish I knew what Pa
himself thought of me, he does not ever appear gratified when I enquire about
his sickness if he answers at all does it in repelling a manner that I have
desisted from any thing of the kind. He appears gratified to have Augustus
interested about him so always send him to make enquiries. "what will you do
for me," said Pa to him the other night, "because I am sick."“love
you” was the reply, as that is an effectual remedy for his troubles he could think of no other to apply. It is freezing cold
again to night. Clary has been reading the Water Witch